I’m a glass-half-empty kind of gal, and so reading that only 19% of women purchased period pants in the past year left me a little, well, bummed. Why are we so reluctant to try the more sustainable option when it comes to sanitary products?
Disclaimer: I was a little hesitant at first, too, unsure of how absorbent and odourless they could actually be. However, I am now a convert — and even more so after reading that one tampon may contain the same amount of plastic as five shopping bags. Over a lifetime, that’s the equivalent of 57,000 supermarket shoppers.
Not entirely sold? “Period pants offer a range of benefits,” shares Susanna Unsworth, an NHS and private doctor specialising in menopause, women’s health and breast cancer. “Environmentally, they are far more sustainable since disposable products contain plastics and contribute significantly to landfill waste. Although the initial cost is higher, period pants are generally more cost-effective in the long run, lasting for years if cared for properly.
“They also provide longer-lasting protection, so you don’t need to change products as frequently. Once women find the right style and fit, many report that they are more comfortable and less irritating than pads, which can shift, bunch, or feel bulky.”
So, considering I have seen every cycle as an opportunity to test a variety of period pant styles — from full briefs to bikinis for your heaviest days and even light flow-friendly thongs — I feel qualified to declare which are the best period pants — including the best period pants for teens and period swimwear — for women and those with vulvas in 2025.
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How we test the best period pants:
At GLAMOUR, it is of utmost importance that we provide our readers with independent, honest and trustworthy reviews. We’re committed to bringing our readers unbiased and accurate information, recommending not only the best period pants overall but also the best for your needs.
GLAMOUR team members Sophie Cockett and Sophie Donovan – along with others – trialled each pair of bestseller period pants over several months at various points in our cycles. Some have even been tested for well over a year.
We worked out in them, went to actual work in them, and lounged in them. From midi briefs to thongs, we scored each pair based on functionality and period protection: factors like comfort, absorbency during heavy periods, what they’re made from (organic cotton or elastane for extra sustainability creds), how well they washed, whether they keep that clean feeling and how they felt under normal clothes. We’re confident this edit of the best period pants will serve you. Fill your boots.
What are period pants?
“Period pants are just like your day-to-day underwear but with the added benefit of being able to absorb your period blood, so you can be free to get on with your day,” Raut said. Period underwear often has an absorbent, moisture-wicking and odour-eliminating gusset and is available in a plethora of styles to suit your flow. You can bleed freely in them for up to 12 hours, whether you’re going to work, to the gym — or even for a swim, thanks to the development of period swimwear.
“A common misconception is that period pants leak more easily than pads,” adds Unsworth. “In reality, if you choose the right absorbency for your flow, they are highly reliable, and unlike pads, they don’t slip out of place.
“Another myth is that they are unhygienic. In fact, the moisture-wicking layers keep skin dry and help prevent irritation, while modern fabrics are breathable and designed to resist bacterial growth. After rinsing in cold water, they can be machine-washed like other clothing, making them both safe and easy to care for.”
